Rocking chair



April 1, 1924. 1,488,863

J. CADDELL ROCKING CHAIR' Filed Sent. 3o 1922 Patented lexpr. l, 1224.

i l) SFAFS JAMES CADDELL, 0F OAKLAND, CALFORNIA',

BOOKING CHAIR.

Application led September 30, 1922. Serial No. 591,632.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, JAMES CADDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at akland, in the countyk of Alameda in the State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rocking Chairs, of which the following is a specification. j j

This invention relates to improvements in rocking chairs.

lThe principal objects are to provide a rocking chair which willnot cause wear of the floor or carpet or injury to baseboards or trim, which requires no greater floor space than a straight chair having substantially the same seat dimensions, and which is appreciably more comfortable in use than rocking chairs of ordinary construction.

Further objects are to provide a rocking chair which, in addition,` to serving the advantages stated, may be economically produced, will be strong and durable, and may be readily knocked down for shipment or storage and as readily assembled for use.

Vith the above objects in view the invention consists generally in novel features of structure and combination appertaining to the seat with the runners attached thereto and the stationary frame with the resiliently acting yieldable supporting elements for engagement by and co-operation with said runners, all to be set forth in detail as the description proceeds.

ln the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair in which the features of the invention are incorporated.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation showing one ofthe runners and the yieldable supporting element therefor.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing cti-operating seat supporting elements atftherear of the chair.

The chair seat 1 may be of any desired form, as shown being provided with a bach 2 and arms 3, and is supported by a stationary frame or stand 4 which includes four legs 5 and connecting rounds or braces G.

The seat 1 is mounted to rock relatively to the frame 4 and for this purpose is provided with longitudinal runners 7 which project downward from the under face of the seat and are arranged at each side thereof. Each runner 7 has a bearing portion 8 of suitable extent which is arranged between attachment arms 9, these being secured to the seat 1 in any suitable manner, for example by` screws 10. The runners 7 engage and operate upon supporting elements 11 carried by the frame 4 and which are preferably yieldable. As shown and preferred the elements 11 consist of longitudinally arranged helical springs which are suspended between the upper ends `of the legs 5 at the sides of the chair. The bearing yportions 8 are preferably of slightly curved outline, engaging the springs 11 with their convex sides and are 'secured to said* springs `by centrally located clips 12 of suitable construction, which clips, however, do not interfere with the rocking action of the runners. l

.According to the invention, provision is made for limiting the forward and rearward movement of the seat 1 and for holding said seat in a normal position located centrally between the limits of its movement, the means'for this purpose acting with resilient effect and preventing too free a 'movement of the runners on the springs 11. As shown and preferred such means consists of a transverse spring 13, similar to the springs 11, which is suspended between the upper ends of adjacent legs 5, for example lthe rear legs, and a vertical connecting memberv 14 which is secured atY its lower end to the spring 13, centrally thereof, and at its upper end to the seat 1. ln the present embodiment the member 14 places the spring'13 under tension in consequence of the movement of the seat 1 in either direction and is, thereforamade rigid, its lower end being formed with a suitable clip 15 by which it is attached to the spring 13 and its upper end being formed with a lug 16 by which it is attached to the seat 1. ln the use of the chair, the seat is rocked back and forth., the runners bearing on the springs 11, The movement of the runners in either direction fiexes said springs and places them under tension so that good cushioning effects are produced, both vertically and in the direction of movement of the runners. At the same time the spring 13 is placed under tension by the member 14, being flexed downward when the seat is rocked backward and upward when the seat is rocked forward, the degree of tension increasing with the extent of the rocking movement. The spring 13 acts with resilient effect gradually to limit the for# Ward or rearward movement of the seat and to prevent it from havin'gtoo free a rocking action on the supporting spring 11.

The chair may be readily knocked down by removing the screws which secure the runners 7 and the member 14 to the'seat and at such time said runners and the member 14 may be' folded against the adjacent rounds and the chair may be compactly arranged for shipment or storage.

It will be understood that modifications may be resorted to -Within the scope of the appended claims. i

Having fully ldescribed my invention, I claim l. A rockingchair comprising avfram'e, a seat, longitudinally arranged runners on the underside of the seat and each having a lon gitudinally rounded underside, Aand yield'- able longitudinal supporting elements suspended on said frame and engaged by the rounded undersides of said runnersand'each runner lbeing Connected only at its center with the respective yieldingyelement so as to permit rocking engagement of said runner therewith.

2. Arocking chair comprising a frame, a seat, llongitudinally arranged runners on the underside of the seat and each having a longitudinally rounded underside, and longitudinally arranged helical spring supports Which are suspended on said frame and lupon which the rounded undersides o said runners are supported, each runner being onlyconnected at its center with the respective spring, thereby permitting rocking engagement or' each runner on the same.

3. In a rocking chair, in combination, a

frame, a seat,`longitudinally arranged runners carried by and below the seat and each having a longitudinally rounded underside, yieldable vlongitudinal supporting elements suspended by said y'frame and upon which the rounded undersides of said runners have rocking engagement, a vtransversely arranged yieldable element suspended by said frame, and a member connecting said transverse yieldable element and said seat and causing said element to yield consequent to that rocking movement of said seat.

e. In a rocking chair, in combination, a frame, a seat, longitudinally arranged runners Vcarried by andbelovv the seat and each havinga longitudinally rounded underside, longitudinally arranged helical spring supports suspended by said frameY and f upon which the rounded undersides of said rullners Vhave rocking engagement, a vtransversely arranged helical spring suspended by said frame, and a member connectingr said transverse spring and said seat and causing said spring to yield consequent to the rocking movement lof said seat.

JAMES, @ADDELL 

